English Idioms Commonly Used In Daily Language

Common Idioms Meaning Example

A blessing in disguise seems bad, but is actually good Accidently registering for the wrong class was actually a blessing in disguise.
Actions speak louder than actions are more important than words You say you love me but actions speak louder than words.
words
A piece of cake easy That test was a piece of cake.
Beating around the bush not discussing what is important/procrastinating I needed to study, but I kept beating around the bush.
Big task on your hand having something important to finish My teacher gave me a new assignment, so I have a big task on my hands.
Break a leg wishing someone to do well/ good luck You will do fine on your presentation. Go break a leg out there.
Can’t stand (something) to dislike something I can’t stand having to do homework on a Sunday.
Check out that give that a look Check out that very cool looking car.
Close but no cigar close but failed at the end You got a 79% on the test. Almost a B…close but no cigar.
Don't sweat it don’t worry about it You accidently scratched my car but I don't care. Don’t sweat it.
Driving me bananas making me feel crazy My very loud neighbors are driving me bananas.
Easier said than done easy to say, but hard to actually do Changing the world is easier said than done.
Get out of town I don't believe you You got an A in your Finance class? Get out of town!
Get over it forget about the past He broke up with his girlfriend but he needs to get over it.
Gone off track forgot about your future goal My friend really got off track because he failed three classes this semester.
Hands down for certain the right answer America is hands down the best place to study abroad.
Hang on a second wait for a moment Hang on a second…I am waiting for my laundry to finish.
Hang out spend time with a friend Joe and I hang out after class every week.
Have stumbled upon to accidentally discover something I stumbled upon a new restaurant while walking around downtown.
Hold your horses wait/calm down Hold your horses. I am still eating my lunch.
How’s it going? How are you? How’s it going today Bobby?
I made a key decision make an important decision I made a key decision to finish college.
Inside scoop the details Hey give me the inside scoop on how you met John.
In the bag will definitely happen My baseball team will win the game. It is in the bag.
I was knocked on my heels I was surprised I was knocked on my heels when I realized I got the job.
I’ll toss it around to casually suggest an idea to people I am tossing around the idea of having a party this weekend.
I’m feeling blue to feel sad I failed my test today, I'm really feeling blue.
I’m out I'm leaving I have to go to a meeting, I'm out!
In the nick of time when something happens at the last possible The firefighter saved the baby from the burning building in the nick of time.
moment
It’s all flooding back to me beginning to remember something you once When I saw my childhood bicycle memories all came flooding back to me.
forgot
Kick the bucket to die/no longer work Yesterday my phone kicked the bucket.
Kill two birds with one stone accomplish two things at once You can kill two birds with one stone by checking email and study at the library.
Laid back relaxed Jason is not very excited, he is laid back.
Last shot Last chance The final exam is my last shot to get an A in the class.
Leading someone on having someone believe something that isn't true Why do you keep telling Amy you like her, you are just leading her on.
Lend a hand help someone out I see those grocery bags are very heavy, can I lend you a hand?
Let it ride to allow something to remain as it is I don't like my schedule for next semester, but I'm going to let it ride.
Let’s boogie on out let’s all leave together The bar is closing, let’s boogie on out.
Let’s bounce to leave The football game is over, let’s bounce.
Low down to receive the full story Hey give me the low down on what happened last Saturday night.
Take a chill pill a way of telling someone to calm down I don't think the test will be too hard, take a chill pill.
Hit the books to study I can't go to the party tonight, I have to hit the books.
To touch base to contact someone I need to touch base with Jeremy about the new office reports.
Locked in to give full concentration too I'm really locked in to this new television series.
No big deal no need to worry If you can't make it to my birthday dinner it’s no big deal.
Get on the ball to get focused on the goal If you haven’t started your research project yet, you need to get on the ball.
Out of nowhere unexpected That surprise quiz came out of nowhere.
Out of the blue unexpected We were walking to the store when Mike appeared out of the blue.
Pull the plug to end something/someone After Bob quit, we may just have to pull the plug on the whole operation.
Put a sock in it be quiet My loud neighbors really need to put a sock in it.
Rally the troops to gather friends together We're going to rally the troops then head to the basketball game.
Since day one for a long time I've been playing basketball since day one.
Something’s fishy
Speak of the Devil
Spill the beans
Spur of the moment
Stay on track
Stick with your goal/stick
with it
Take him out of the picture
Take it easy
That’s tight
The stars have aligned
Draw the line
The last straw
Throw an idea around
Tight
Time flies
Up a creek without a paddle
Fill in the blanks
On the same page
What’s up?
You pulled a fast one
something’s strange All the lights are off in the house and door is open, something’s fishy.
when you see someone/something happens Speak of the devil Jenny! We were just talking about your new car.
unexpectedly while talking about them
to tell the secret I told Jessica my biggest secret, she then spilled the beans to the whole class.
to make a random decision I decided to drive to Colorado on the spur of the moment.
to stay focused on the goal I shouldn’t watch TV right now. I need to stay on track and study.
to continue doing something You should really stick with soccer because you are very good at it.
remove him from the situation Mike isn't the best group partner, we should take him out of the picture.
calm down You only failed the first test. You will have many more. Take it easy.
that’s awesome This new song is tight.
the moment is right The stars have aligned because it’s his birthday and he won the lottery.
the point where you decide not to do something I draw the line at $10 for a hamburger.
the last thing that causes everything to fail My recent sprained ankle was the last straw; I need to get surgery now.
casually suggest an idea I want to throw an idea around for tomorrow’s event.
a sporting event having a close score 75 to 75 with one minute left! This is a really tight game.
time passes by fast I can't believe the weekend is already over, time flies!
in a bad situation Yesterday my car ran out of gas and then my phone ran out of battery, I was up a
creek without a paddle.
figure out the rest on your own Did we win? We were losing by 40 points at halftime, fill in the blanks.
having similar thoughts I'm glad we are on the same page with our ideas for this project.
How are you? Hey John what’s up?
to trick someone You pretended you knew his name when really you did not, you pulled a fast one.
Special Thanks To Max Schmitt